How To Block And Remove Advertisements On The Internet
Are you tired of seeing advertisements on a majority of websites like Facebook.com and Botcrawl.com while browsing the internet?
If so, it’s very easy and free to block or remove advertisements from websites while browsing the internet using free, reputable browser helper objects (BHO), such as plugins, add-ons, extensions, and toolbars.
Individual internet browsers such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox have exceptionally great third-party BHOs that can run in the background and block advertisements while using the internet.
This article will discuss the best and most secure browser attachments (BHOs) to block, remove, and restrict advertisements on websites and advertisement networks while browsing the internet for Google Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox.
Google Chrome
AdBlock Extension
AdBlock is an extension for Google Chrome that blocks advertisements (as the name suggests).
1. Install AdBlock. Click ADD TO CHROME and Add on the notification window.
2. “Now you have AdBlock Hooray!” – Michael (AdBlock author)
AdBlock will automatically block advertisements on websites like Google.com, Facebook.com, and Botcrawl.com.
- To view your extensions on Google Chrome click Customize and control Google Chrome (3 bar Icon/Wrench) > Tools > Extensions
Block Advertisements By URL
Adblock can also be used to block an advertisement by its url. This is a great option to block advertisement networks, including adware.
1. Right click the AdBlock icon (if activated, or visit extension location) and select options.
2. Navigate to the Customize tab and select Block and ad by its URL.
3. In the Domain to page to apply on enter the URL of the advertisement or advertisement network you wish to block and save it.
For example, to block Text-Enhance.com, enter text-enhance.com and textsrv.com.
Microsoft Internet Explorer
AdBlock Plus
AdBlock Plus is a popular add-on for browsers like Firefox and Chrome (though I recommend ‘AdBlock’ for Chrome) that will launch a version of their popular browser helper object used to block advertisements from the internet in early 2013.
There are currently no great BHOs to block advertisements on Microsoft Internet Explorer given the fact that creating attachments for other browsers is far less tedious. Still, having said this Microsoft Internet Explorer has a few great custom abilities to block advertisement networks.
Restrictions (Internet Explorer)
Internet Explorer has a great custom setting that allows users to restrict websites. This setting is often used to block pop-up and in-text adware.
1. Navigate to Tools and select Internet Options.
2. Select the Security tab and click Restricted sites.
3.Click the Sites button, enter individual domains of the adware platform generating advertisements, and click Add.
Example: Text Enhance
Mozilla Firefox
AdBlock Plus Add-on
Adblock Plus is an add-on for Mozilla Firefox that will automatically block advertisements once installed.
1. Install Adblock Plus: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/.
2. Enjoy!
Other Options:
Window’s Hosts File
The Window’s hosts file is a file used my Windows to map hostsnames to IP addresses that can be utilizied to block certain domains and IP addresses.
1. Open Microsoft Notepad as an administrator. Right click MS Notepad and click Run as administrator.
2. Click File and select Open.
3. Navigate to: C: > Windows > System32 > drivers > etc >
4. The folder should appear blank. Use the drop-down menu next to the File name text box to change Text Documents (*.txt) to All Files and open the hosts file.
5. To block a website by its IP address using the hosts file enter the IP address at the bottom of the page and save the hosts file.
Why do websites display advertisements?
Many websites display advertisements to promote an item, website, etc. often in order to generate revenue. Small blogs and organizations may generate revenue specifically to help a cause, to pay for domain registration and hosting, and/or to pay for other utilities and services significant to the website or topic.
